Accelerated Master of International Security Studies - Bachelor’s in Political Science, General Concentration

Start earning your Masters degree while completing your Bachelor’s degree!

About the Program

During their senior year in the political science major, AMP students will complete four ISS courses (12 units), which will be counted towards both the BA in political science and the ISS master’s degree. The ISS classes will take the place of 4 courses (12 units) of “Upper Division Electives.” The ISS courses are considered part of the “Foreign Affairs” concentration; political science students must also complete at least one course from the two remaining concentration areas (American Politics, Ideas & Methods).

Sample plan:

1. Freshman, Sophomore, & Junior year: Complete undergraduate coursework
 

2. Senior year:
a. Fall Semester: select two of the following courses and complete remaining undergraduate coursework

  • POL 553A: Media and International Affairs (3 units)
  • POL 542A: European Politics and Society (3 units)
  • POL 555: American Foreign Policy (3 units)

b. Spring Semester: select two of the following courses and complete remaining undergraduate coursework

  • POL 561A: Concepts of Human Rights and Security (3 units)
  • POL 557A: Politics of Cyber Security (3 units)
  • POL 558A: Politics in the Digital Age (3 units)

See the plan of study for a more detailed overview. Substitutions allowed with the approval of ISS director.

Admissions Information

College

College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Campus

Arizona Online - Online

Admissions Requirements

  1. Completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credit hours will be required at the time of application; a minimum of 90 undergraduate credit hours will be required at the time of entry into the AMP. If the student’s GPA falls below 3.3 at the time they have completed 90 units, the student will not be admitted into the program. Courses taken for audit may not be included in the total number of units counted for eligibility or admission.
  2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a minimum of 12 units of undergraduate coursework at the UA.
  3. Completion of at least 12 earned undergraduate credits in their major at the University of Arizona. Units still graded Incomplete, units graded Pass/Fail or units taken as audit will not count toward the requirement of the 12 undergraduate units.
  4. Completion or near completion of general education requirements (no more than one course remaining).
  5. Submission of a graduate application and payment of a graduate application fee.
  6. Demonstration of the maturity necessary for success in an accelerated, highly competitive program.
  7. Expectation to complete the undergraduate degree within four years. The undergraduate degree requirements must be completed before the student is eligible to have the Master’s degree awarded.

Standardized Tests

No standardized tests are required for the department, however the Graduate College requires proof of English proficiency for any international applicant born in a country where English is not the official language. Please see the Graduate College for more information. 

Funding Opportunities

The ISS program is eligible for federal financial aid and several different military programs.  Please contact the Veterans Office for further details.

Admissions Deadlines

Domestic Applicants:

  • Fall: July 31st
  • Spring: December 10th

Tuition and Fees

  • Please refer to the UA Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees. 
  • Please refer to the UA Registrar's Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees. 

Additional Information

This is an Accelerated Master's Program (AMP).

The Graduate College offers exceptional undergraduate students in selected majors the opportunity to earn both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in as few as 5 years. The Accelerated Master's Program is for the top undergraduates in participating majors who plan to continue in a graduate program in the same, or closely related, UA discipline.

Programs will select from among a qualified pool, based on the following criteria. Individual programs may have more stringent or additional requirements:

  • Completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credit hours will be required at the time of application; a minimum of 90 undergraduate credit hours will be required at the time of entry into the AMP. If the student's GPA falls below 3.30 at the time s/he has completed 90 units, the student will not be admitted into the program. Courses taken for audit may not be included in the total number of units counted for eligibility or admission.
  • Completion of at least 12 earned units of undergraduate course work in the major at the UA.
  • Units still graded Incomplete, units graded Pass/Fail or units taken as audit will not count toward the requirement of the 12 undergraduate units in the major.
  • Completion or near completion of general education requirements.
  • Submission of a graduate application and payment of a graduate application fee.
  • Demonstration of the maturity necessary for success in an accelerated, highly competitive program.
  • Expectation to complete the undergraduate degree within four years. The undergraduate degree requirements must be completed before the student is eligible to have the Master's degree awarded.
  • Interested students should verify departmental requirements as they may have additional or more stringent requirements than the Graduate College minimum requirements.